All Or Nothing In Bell Corruption Plea Offer

The five former City of Bell council members facing retrial on corruption charges have to decide by tomorrow if they’ll accept a plea offer from prosecutors.

It’s an all-or-nothing offer: the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office says all five, George Mirabal, George Cole, Oscar Hernandez, Victor Bello, and Teresa Jacobo, must accept the deal together or it’s off the table.

Officials at the DA’s office said Wednesday they did not have an indication from defense attorneys as to what would happen at a hearing set for Thursday.

The five face unresolved corruption charges following a trial last year, in which jurors returned split verdicts of innocence and guilt, and failed to reach verdicts on numerous other charges.

L.A. Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy has said in open court she’s eager to end the case.

The five would likely face reduced prison sentences if they accept the offer.